DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

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Published on January 14, 2022

MATCHES (ET)

For detailed stats and odds, check out the
DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS

Milot Rashica, NOR v. EVE ($6,700): Saturday's three-game slate is a bit different from those that we're used to this season. There are no elite teams and none of them have an implied goal total above 1.65. Floor points could end up being more valuable. The top range at forward isn't very appealing. Andros Townsend ($9,700) is the most expensive as Everton are the biggest favorite on the slate away to Norwich. He will split set pieces, but he's played more than 73 minutes just once in his last four matches. I'd rather save a few thousand bucks and roster Rashica. He'll likely take the majority of set pieces in a home match against Everton, which has been one of the better spots to target recently. He saw his first action since November on Wednesday, scoring 9.6 floor points in 72 minutes. Prior to that, he'd played at least 82 minutes in each of his last five starts. I'm not overly excited to roster any of the other forwards. When that's the case, I'll usually side with the cheaper options and spend money at other positions.

Raul Jimenez, WOL v. SOU ($5,100): Jimenez has +135 goalscoring odds, on par with the +130 odds of Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($9,100). The difference is that Jimenez is $4,000 cheaper. He's clearly undervalued in relation to the rest of the slate. Wolves are in a decent spot at home against Southampton and they've been in good form recently. Chris Wood ($4,800) just signed for Newcastle and could make his debut at home against Watford. Newcastle have the highest-implied total and Wood would have the best goalscoring odds at +110. Though his playing time is less secure, he'd be a similar option to Jimenez. If you're looking for more of a floor in this range, Joelinton ($5,900) has played 90 minutes in six consecutive matches and Newcastle are arguably in the best spot on the slate.

MIDFIELDERS

James Ward-Prowse, SOU at WOL ($9,500): Going cheap at forward allows you to pay up for the best midfielders. Not only does Ward-Prowse have the highest floor on the slate, but he's shown plenty of upside recently, notching three goals and two assists in his last four games. He always plays 90 minutes and Southampton's matchup away to Wolves isn't prohibitive.

Demarai Gray, EVE at NOR ($9,900): Gray is the most expensive player at any position. He's been splitting set pieces and showing considerable open-play upside. He sent in 12 crosses last time out and has averaged three shots per game over his last four. Everton's matchup against Norwich is an appealing spot to target but the high salary is off-putting, which makes him a good option for GPPs.

The cheaper range at midfield is considerably less appealing. Joao Moutinho ($5,600) will split set pieces and that's about all he does, though it's worth noting that he's coming off his best game of this season in which he scored the winner against Manchester United, leading to a bigger salary. Jonjo Shelvey ($5,800) has likely lost any role on set pieces, assuming Kieran Trippier and/or Ryan Fraser are on the pitch. For tournaments, I'd rather target Francisco Trincao ($4,600), who put up 10 floor points in 66 minutes against Manchester United last week. Pairing him with Jimenez makes a lot of sense.

DEFENDERS

Rayan Ait-Nouri, WOL v. SOU ($6,300): Ait-Nouri is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing the past three league matches due to a muscle injury (he started in the FA Cup last weekend). He's scored at least eight floor points in his last seven starts while splitting set pieces with Moutinho. Elsewhere in this range, Kieran Trippier ($6,300) is expected to make his first league start for Newcastle. He took a few corner kicks in their embarrassing FA Cup loss to Cambridge United last weekend. I'd prefer him over Matt Ritchie ($6,000), who seems to have lost his role on corners after he took zero in the same match.

Ryan Fraser, NEW v. WAT ($5,200): Fraser shouldn't be listed as a defender, especially now that Trippier was signed to play right back. Fraser is likely to start on the right side of midfield, possibly in a front three. He took the majority of corners in last weeks loss to Cambridge United. Assuming he takes corners in a home matchup with Watford, he's arguably the top overall option on the slate when you factor in the goal/assist equity. Other options in the range include Nelson Semedo ($5,400), who scored in the Cup last week and has shown a better floor of late. If you're looking for a cheaper full-back, Hassanne Kamara ($4,500) could make his Watford debut after signing from the French league, where he was an attacking left-back at Nice.

GOALKEEPERS

Jose Sa, WOL v. SOU ($4,900): Sa is the third-most expensive keeper, but he has the best clean sheet odds at 35 percent. Wolves looked great in Monday's win over Manchester United and a home matchup with Southampton is a good spot to build on that momentum. Tim Krul ($4,500) is the cheapest home goalie and Norwich will fancy their chances against a struggling Everton side.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.